Scotty Smith's Orchids of Colorado. - Southwest Colorado Wildflowers

Platanthera zothecina (Higgins & Welsh) Kartesz & GandhiPlatanthera zothecina, (pla-tan‟-ther-ah)+(zoth-e-ki‟-na), Platanthera derived from the Greek wordsmeaning ”wide anther”, in reference to the broad anther on the flower in this orchid; zothecinameaning of niches or alcoves.Common name: Alcove Bog-orchid.Flowering: July and August.Description: The floral stem blooms from the bottom first and then blossoms upwards. Theblooming time of this orchid is a two months long. The flower itself is light green to greenish whitein color. Flowers are lightly spaced along the stem of the flower. The sepals, light green, foldbackwards paralleling the spur, pointing towards the stem of the plant. The petals and dorsal sepalcome together to form a type of hood over the column. This hooded portion along with the lowersepal and lip extend horizontally out from the flowering stem forming almost a 90 degree angle tothe stem. This orchid also has a nectary or spur which contains the nectar that so many insects andmoths are striving for. The spur is cylindrical, pointed on the end and pale green and also curvesoutward from the base of the spur and flower. The spur is much longer than the than the lip - to asmuch as 2+ times as long as the lip. The lip is a yellow to yellow green in color. The flower has astrong scent. The 3-6 leaves are dark green, alternating on the stem from the base of the plant. Theleaves of Platanthera zothecina are much more round than any of the other Colorado Platantheraorchids.Habitat: This orchid grows in partial sun to shade. It is found growing in wet, seepy over hanginggardens along the Colorado River. The height of this orchid during blooming time varies between 8to 12 inches. It is found at elevation between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in Colorado.In Colorado Platanthera zothecina is found growing in hot desert-like locations with limited water inhanging alcoves. In Colorado it is only found three places in the deserts of northwestern Colorado.This is one of our rarest orchids in the state.161